Extensible and collapsible envelope file



June 24, 1930. A. c. CRULL EXTENSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE ENVELOPE FILEFiled April 3, 1929 INVENTQ ALICE C. CRULL ATTORNEYS Patented June 24,193% UNETED STATES PATENT oFricE ALICE C. CRTJ'LL, OF INGLEWOOD,CALIFORNIA EXTENSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE ENVELOPE FILE Application filedApril 3, 1929. Serial No. 352,199.v

adjacent each other.

An object of my invention is the construc tion of a file using envelopesin which various papers, clippings or memorandum which a person desiresto keep may be inserted in various envelopes properly classified andthese envelopes are bound together in a suitable binding, whereby thedevice may be opened somewhat as a book. In this case the envelopes maybe considered as forming the leaves of the book and the binding formingthe back, or if desired the binding may be stretched longitudinally andthe envelopes positioned in a manner one overlapping the other so thatready access may be had to anyone or more envelopes.

A further object of my invention is hav ing a binding preferably securedto covers such as book covers and having envelopes secured to thebinding forming the back. These envelopes are secured preferablyadjacent their lower edge. The envelopes with the backing and the coversmay be utilized to form a hook-like structure being opened like a bookand such book-like structure may be compressed into a compact parcel andsecured with straps or the like. Or for another manner or usage thecovers may be drawn apart, spreading the binding forming the back andthereby shifting the envelopes to occupy an overlapping position one inrelation to the other. In this manner of usage the device may be placedflat on a table or the like.

Another object of my invention is a file formed of front and back coverswith a bind ing connecting the two covers, this being sufficiently looseso that the series of envelopes may be attached to the binding, thebinding extending partly along one face of each envelope and havingbetween each envelope a strip of loose binding. This allows the file tobe opened in a manner similar to a book the envelopes forming the leavesor the covers may be spaced apart, the binding be ing stretched and theenvelopes arranged in an overlapping manner. IVhen so arranged Imaysuspend the file from a wall and utilize cords connecting the covers tohold the envelopes in the desired position.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my file extended in position for useon a table;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the file when used in a book form;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the file extended in a manner adaptedfor hanging on a wall;

Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the file when completely. collapsed andsecured by straps;

Fig. 5 is a detail section through the binding and several of theenvelopes.

My invention utilizes covers 11 and 12 con nected by a web-like binding13. The covers are preferably of stiff material and the binding isflexible. A series of envelopes 1 1 have their lower portion secured tothe binding so that there is a section 15 of the binding glued orotherwise attached to a lower portion of the envelope adjacent its loweredge. In Fig. 5 the envelopes are shown as having a front portion16 andthe back portion 17, there being also closure flaps 18 if desired. Thesection 15 of the binding is attached to the lower front portion of eachof the envelopes. This leaves loose sections 19 of the binding betweenadjacent envelopes.

The device may be arranged in what may be termed a book form as shown inFig. 2 in Which it will be noted that the loose sections 19 of thebinding are drawn upwardly between two adjacent envelopes as indicatedby the numeral 19. (Fig. 2). When opened in this manner the device maybereadily held in the hand or rest on a table. In the arrangement shown inFig. 1 the device may be spread out with the covers separated and thebinding drawn fairly tight between the two covers. This arranges theenvelopes in an overlapping manner as shown. Each of these envelopes maybe suitably labeled so that various'papers may be properly classified.

y In order tomake a compact parcel I provide straps 20 or the like whichare attached to the covers and may be fastened with snap fasteners.These straps are illustrated as being secured to the cover 12 andproject slightly beyond the cover having eyes 21. These eyes may be usedto suspend the file from hooks, nails or the like on a wall in themanner illustrated in Fig. 3 or if desired the device may be hungcompletely open as shown in Fig. 1. In order to prevent the envelopesfrom flopping over and hanging inverted due to the weight of theircontents, I connect cords 22 between eyes 23 in the corners or thecovers. The cords may be knotted as indicated at 24 'to retain the lowercover in the desired position. This holds all the envelopes in'asubstantially correct overlapping position as shown in Fig. 3 and allowsready access to anyone or more of the envelopes. It will be noted thatthe cords 22 are positioned so that they engage the upper edge of someof the en velopes and therefore retain such envelopes in almost avertical position tilted outwardly only slightly. However, if access isdesired to these envelopes the cords may be shifted to one side to allowopening of the flaps.

It will be obvious that my device may be made in various sizes toaccommodate papers, clippings or memorandums of different sizes and thatthe number of envelopes used is optional with the manufacturer.

Various changes may be made in the principles of my invention withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof as set forth in the description,drawings and claims.

I claim:

1. A device as described comprising in combination rigid cover elements,a flexible sheet material binding connecting an edge of each of thecovers, a plurality of envelopes, each having one of their lower facessecured to the binding with a loose sectionof the binding between eachenvelope, the covers, the envelopes and the binding being collapsible toform a package which may be opened with the binding in the foldedposition similar to a book, the envelopes forming the leaves or whichmay be opened with the binding stretched and the envelopes overlappingeach other, means secured to one of the covers to suspend such coverfrom a wall and means depending from such cover to the other cover tohold the envelopes from tiltin 2. A device as described, comprising incombination a pair ofrigid covers having a flexible sheet materialbinding between such covers, a plurality of envelopes substantiallyrectangular and each having a portion of its lower front face secured tothe binding with a free section of the binding between adjacentenvelopes, straps secured to one of the covers and having means toattach same to a wall, flexible cords extending from the upper edge ofthe cover secured to the wall and attached to the other cover holdingthe envelopes from tilting.

3. A device as described, comprising in combination a pair of rigidcovers having an elongated strip of flexible sheet material bindingbetween the lower edges of said covers, e11- velopes, each having theirlower portion secured to said binding in spaced relation one to theother, with free sections of the binding between adjacent envelopes,means secured to one of the covers to suspend same from a wall, andflexible cords extending from the upper edge of the cover attached tothe wall to the other cover to retain such latter cover from hangingdownwardly from the binding and holding the envelopes in an overlappingposition one in reference to the other.

4. A de ice as described, comprising in combination a pair of rigidcovers, a flexible sheet material binding connected to the lower edge ofeach of the covers, a plurality of envelopes each having its lowerportion secured to the binding in spaced relation one from the other, asuspending means secured to one of the covers for attachment to a wall,flexible cords extending from the upper edge of the cover attached tothe wall to the upper ed e of the other cover, said cords beingadjust-ab e in length and adapted to prevent the lower cover fromhanging downwardly from the binding, the said cordsbeing positioned toengage the upper edges of some of the envelopes and to holdsaidenvelopes tilted slightly upwardly to the desired extent.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALICE C. CRULL

